Country garden to an Arts and Crafts house, Burley in Wharfedale.

The retired clients had looked into moving to a new house because the of the upkeep of their large garden, but when they couldn’t find a property they liked as much, decided to invest in the garden to make it more manageable and to make improvements they had always wanted – like adding a summer house and a potting shed.

The first phase consisted of clearance of old shrubs and tree work – removing large conifers which blocked views, crown lifting to allow more light and removal of an old rockery.

The new summer house location and orientation was carefully considered for best views and aspect. The surrounding elevated planting bed provided scope for growing perennials which enjoy full sun and dry soils which hadn’t been possible in the garden before given, the north facing aspect.

"Helen listened to our views and incorporated them in her plan. Our garden is transformed and has become a pleasurable place for us to spend time." (Lesley Cooke)

AFTER

New foreground planting along the new garden path leading to the summer house including Hydrangea Limelight, Acer Bloodgood and Sedum Matrona.

Late flowering muted pinks and purples of the meadow- like perennials in the Orchard: Achillea Cerise Queen, Echinacea purpurea; Verbena bonariensis and Aster x frikartii.

Fernery below the Japanese maple tree. Repositioned limestone clints from the rockery with new planting for dry shade: Ajuga purpurea; Brunnera Jack Frost; Lamium Beacon’s Silver and Ferns in variety.

New location for the much-loved bench seat, centred on the levelled top lawn.

New potting shed supplied by the Posh Shed Company.

New raised planter edging the house terrace. Planting includes the floaty grass, Stipa Pony Tails and Japanese forest grass, Hakonechloa macra and the long flowering Mexican Fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus Profusion.